Position Statement of the World Veterinary Association World Aquatic Veterinary Association on the Role of Veterinarians in Aquatic Animal Health
Nahrain Veterinary magazine
3/9/2024
At the end of July 2024, the World Veterinary Association published on its official website a position statement on the role of veterinarians in aquatic animal health. The statement, in terms of content, focuses on the association’s goal and strategy in highlighting the role of animal health workers in preserving animals and providing their needs.
Encouraging communication. In its statement, which was issued in partnership with the World Aquatic Veterinary Association (WAVMA), the Association urged all its members to communicate with the local administrative authorities in their areas of work and the official veterinary bodies within their regions, states and countries in order to work on improving and organizing the practice of the veterinary profession in the field of aquatic animals. These practices are carried out by veterinarians licensed/registered with the government or official bodies, as well as veterinary assistants who work under their supervision.
The statement also urges veterinary education institutions around the world, which have a variety of curricula to educate veterinary students in the practice of aquatic veterinary medicine, to do so, and encourages institutions that have not yet incorporated this specialty into their curricula to do so. These institutions also have continuing education courses to enhance the education of veterinary graduates.
The statement requires competent authorities to ensure that appropriate education and professional development opportunities are provided to veterinary personnel and all personnel involved in aquatic animal health/hygiene in the areas of (animal health, animal welfare, epidemiology, environmental protection, policy implementation).
The background to this statement came for several reasons, including the growth of the aquaculture sector as a global source of food, awareness of concerns about the potential contamination of the environment by medicines used in aquaculture, and the need to provide the highest level of quality in animal health services.
Aquatic veterinary medicine and health care covers aquatic livestock, marine wildlife, and pets. Aquatic veterinarians have a variety of responsibilities, including animal care, disease diagnosis, surgical interventions, management assessments, and treatment prescriptions. The goal is to protect animal health and welfare. Veterinarians also play a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring a safe and secure food source and mitigating risks associated with drug residues and environmental contamination, thus maintaining the integrity of the food supply chain.
The statement also indicates that veterinarians have important competencies in the field of aquatic animal health in relation to food safety (zoonotic diseases, food hygiene, international health regulations), health management (including animal welfare), research, epidemiological surveillance, prevention and control of diseases and their risk analysis (endemic, transboundary, emerging and re-emerging).
The statement also states that veterinarians are well positioned to play a leadership role in managing the health and welfare of aquatic animals while recognizing and respecting the contributions of other aquatic animal professionals and technical experts.
the source;
https://worldvet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/08._WVA_WAVMA_PS_on_the_role_of_vets_finalweb.pdf
